The City of Alexandria will be hosting the Eco-City Summit at the T.C. Williams High School on May 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This Summit, part of the City’s Eco-City Alexandria Initiative, will provide an opportunity for residents to provide feedback, input, and discussion on the City’s draft Eco-City Charter; and to assist in the creation of a draft Environmental Action Plan.

Mayor Robert “Bob” Harvey from Waitakere, New Zealand, a pioneer in the field of environmental awareness and community sustainability, will serve as the Summit’s keynote speaker. Local elected officials, city businesses, and civic organizations will also participate and have the opportunity to share ideas, strategies, and areas of interest for the overall sustainable future of the City.

In January 2007, the City Council charged the City’s Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) with developing a new strategic environmental planning process to address environmental issues that emerged since the 1998 Environmental/Quality of Life Summit. City officials and staff, in collaboration with the Environmental Policy Commission, the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, and the Virginia Tech Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, have been working on the overall implementation of the Eco-City Alexandria Initiative, which will be forwarded for consideration by City Council later this year.

The May 10 Eco-City Summit will address the development of the City’s first Eco-City Charter, which outlines the guiding principles and foundation for the City’s environmental vision and future. The Summit will also provide an opportunity for participants to create an Environmental Action Plan, which will include concrete environmental actions the City will carry out over the next 10 to 20 years.

In March, an Eco-City Café was held, attracting more than 120 participants. At this meeting, participant input and ideas were solicited for the development of the draft Eco-City Charter. The Environmental Policy Commission will present the draft Eco-City Charter to the public during the City’s Earth Day Celebration on April 26.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Maureen Sturgill at 703.838.4844 (TTY 703.838.4902) or e-mail Maureen.sturgill@alexandriava.gov.